Thursday, September 27, 2018

Where Is Your Bookmark? (A Peek Into The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel & More Bookish Fun)

I am still reading Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven, which I featured last week, and so I thought I would share a teaser or two from the next book on my TBR pile, The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A story of Sleepy Hollow by Alyssa Palombo. It is perfect for the fall season, I think. Just in time for Halloween.



A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

The first paragraph of the Prologue:
Washington Irving got it wrong. I don't know what secondhand version of Katrina Van Tassel's story he heard, but it was all wrong. Oh, he got the names right: Ichabod Crane. Brom Bones. The Headless Horesman. But he left out the important parts of the story--the parts that matter most. 

Opening of Chapter 1:
It was an early summer of my eighteenth year that my destiny arrived, and despite my fancy for premonitions he took me quite by surprise. 
My thoughts: The opening of the prologue immediately got my attention. What is Katrina Van Tassel's story then, I wondered? As for the first sentence of the first chapter, well, I have a feeling I know who she is referring to and I cannot wait to meet him myself. And what is it she means by premonitions? Ooo! This sounds like it will be good!

*

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.
She knelt beside me, an arm wrapped around my shoulders. "We wait to hear what Ichabod's mother tells Giles." she said, her voice faint. "And we . . . we wait. We wait to see if he comes back."
Charlotte helped me to the daybed so I might lie down, and went to fix me some more skullcap tea. The whole while, all I could hear were her last few words. 
We wait. We wait to see if he comes back. 
If he comes back. 
  [56%]

My thoughts: If you are familiar with Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, you might well know what has become of Ichabod Crane (or do you?).  I can tell from these passages that Katrina is worried about Ichabod and I find myself worrying as well.


What do you think? Does this sound like a book you would be interested in reading? 

*
Originally hosted by Books by Proxy, Friday Face Off is now hosted by the fabulous Lynn of  Lynn’s Book Blog. Participants are asked to feature two more more covers of the same book with the week's assigned theme, and pick a favorite. 

This week the theme is a book whose cover features eyes ~ Eyes wide shut. 

The particular book I am featuring today, Laini Taylor's Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2), has multiple covers with eyes on them as you can see.  There is a definite effort to draw attention to the eye in several of these covers.


Not all of the covers feature eyes, however.


I like the look of many of these covers, and am hard-pressed to pick a favorite. Of the covers with the eye, I think the first is my favorite. However, I am partial to a couple of the covers without eyes even more. Especially the one with the archway--I even prefer the font on that one best as it compliments the picture.

Which cover do you prefer? 

*

Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.


This week's topic is Favorite Book With the Most/Least Ratings


I used Goodreads to determine which books of mine fit today's theme. One of my all-time favorite books has 2,447,190 ratings, which is not too surprising given how well read it is.

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice



My favorite book with the least amount of ratings on the Goodreads site only has 718 ratings:

The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary (Why haven't you read this book?!)


What are your favorite books with the most/least ratings? 

*

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you sneak a peek at the number of views your posts have gotten? (submitted by Elizabeth @Silver's Reviews)

No. In fact, I cannot even remember the last time I looked at my number of page views. When I first began blogging over 12 years ago, I fell down the rabbit hole of blog stats, and all it brought me was stress and burn out. I came to the conclusion that paying attention to the numbers was not how I wanted to blog.

I do understand the need to be seen and heard, something that isn't quite as easy today as it was when I got my start in blogging. The book blogging community is huge now. If you are just starting out as a blogger, it can be tough. You want to build an audience and find your niche, after all. I still get a thrill with each and every comment on my blog. And I am ever so grateful to my return visitors, most of whom I consider friends.

Everyone has their own reason and purpose for blogging, as well as his or her own way of doing it. Each blogger has to do what works best for them. I got into book blogging because I wanted to have a place where I could talk about the books I read and to share my thoughts with others. I like to think of my blog as a kitchen table where everyone comes to enjoy each other's company. Hopefully you will enjoy your visit while you are here.

What about you? Do you pay attention to your blog stats?


© 2018, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

64 comments:

  1. It's been years since I read the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Would I remember enough to make this book interesting? My Friday Quotes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anne - It's been years since I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow too. I may have to revisit it just to compare the two. Or I could watch the Disney movie. Haha Thanks for visiting, Anne!

      Delete
  2. I've been looking for a good story inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. And The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A story of Sleepy Hollow seems like an interesting book. I'm going to add it to my TBR list. Thanks for mentioning it. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Breana - I hope this one proves to be good. What I've read of it, I like so far, at least. Thanks for stopping by, Breana!

      Delete
  3. I try not to obsess over my view stats either. It's only when I get a post with unusually high views that I take note :)

    My BBH here

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erica - I am not even sure which of my posts do get high views. I don't really want that to determine what I post or don't post and so it's best if I stay in the dark. I know not everyone would be affected the same way--but I know I might be. I had been once and that was enough. Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  4. I would love that Sleepy Hollow book. :D
    FFO - I actually like the Arch cover the best followed by the cover directly beneath it.
    Lynn :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynn - I hope it turns out to be good. It sounds good. :-) The arch cover is my favorite too. I like the one with the flame. Good choice! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. I don't think I've ever actually read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I do like books that riff off other books though. This week I am featuring the latest in a long-running science fiction space opera - Uncompromising Honor by David Weber. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy - I may end up re-reading The Legend of Sleepy Hallow just for comparison's sake. Thanks for visiting, Kathy!

      Delete
  6. I don't think I've actually read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but images of Ichabod Crane are familiar ones.

    Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “WE WERE MOTHERS”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurel-Rain - I read it so long ago. I probably remember the Disney movie more, to be honest. And even then my memory is shady. Thank you for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. That does sound like a good Halloween read.

    I used to obsess over stats but, like you, rarely look at them anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy - I hope it will be as good as it sounds. I feel much less stress about blogging since giving up following my stats, that's for sure. Thanks for visiting, Kathy!

      Delete
  8. This sounds and looks like my kind of read!! Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Freda - I hope you like it if you give it a try! Have a good weekend too. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. I do love the retelling of a classic tale. I'm intrigued!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine - I do too! I can't wait to read this one. Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  10. The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel sounds like a perfect read for fall! I am really intrigued by it and I am adding it to my TBR. Thanks so much for sharing it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Candid Cover - I think so too! I can't wait to read it. I hope you like it if you read it too! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. I'd totally keep reading The Spellbook of Katrina Von Tassel. It sounds awesome. (And I don't pay attention to the numbers on my blog either. I just do it for fun...and to connect with other bookworms like me.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark - I think so too! I hope it is good. :-) Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  12. Okay, this book sounds awesome! I love getting the "real" story, so this sounds like something I'd really enjoy. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashley - I couldn't resist it when I came across it. :-) I hope you have a great weekend as well. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  13. I like the sound of that Sleepy Hollow book and it's certainly the season. Will watch for it at my library. As to blog numbers, stats, etc. - nope, I pay no attention. My blog is for me to share things about reading. I'm delighted that people come by and talk, but I'd still do it even if they didn't. My reasons for coming and going in the blogging world relate more to personal issues with pressure I put on myself and whether or not I'm having a good time with it. Ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay - I hope it turns out to be good! I love being a part of the blogging community and interacting with fellow readers, but ultimately, my blog is for myself too. I probably would do it even if no one came by as well--if I really think about it. I just like to write. I think your reasons for blogging are good ones--and perfect for you. :-) Thanks for visiting, Kay!

      Delete
  14. I love that cover and the story sounds interesting. I do keep an eye on my analytics to see what is working adn what is not and sometimes the numbers are needed for advertisers. See what book MK is featuring at Girl Who Reads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna - I think so too! I am looking forward to reading it. Hopefully I can start it this weekend.

      I can see why keeping up on stats would be important when you have advertisers. That's something I never really wanted to do myself. I do accept books to review, but I don't really consider that advertising--although I'm sure the publisher or author might! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  15. I like the very first mask cover best! Good choice :)

    Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite book <3 But it is only the 8th most rated book I have read. The first is Harry Potter which is also one of my favorites!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittany - I just love the artwork on all those covers. :-) I love the Harry Potter books, but I had to go with Pride and Prejudice because I loved it more. Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  16. Yep, The Spellbook of Katrina Von Tassel just went on my reading list after your clips from it.

    I don't blame you for ignoring the page view stats and just doing your thing.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sophia Rose - I hope we both love it! I can't wait to start it. I hope you are having a great weekend too! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  17. Just added The Spellbook of Katrina Von Tassel to my wish list because it sounds awesome.

    I must still be a new enough blogger (just over four years in) that I still look at my page views...I don't really stress over it much, but I do look at them.

    Hope you have a great weekend. - Katie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katie - Doesn't it? I can't wait to start it. Hopefully this weekend. I think there are plenty of bloggers who do still look at their stats years later, so you aren't alone. I think I am in the minority. :-) Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  18. The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel does sound like the perfect book for Halloween! Days of Blood and Starlight has a lot of pretty covers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyla - I couldn't resist The Spellbook when I first came across it. Aren't the covers for Days of Blood and Starlight pretty? I just love them. Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  19. Ooh, I think I'm going to have to look up Palombo's book! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lauren - I hope you love it if you read it! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  20. I've seen this book around. It looks good, so I hope you enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicki - I hope I will enjoy it too. What little I've read so far has been good, but we'll see. Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  21. I think the Palombo book sounds great for Halloween! And those Laini Taylor covers are amazing- I especially like the first one and the seventh one, as well.

    The Night Parade looks great too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greg - I am hoping to start it today or tomorrow. I can't wait! Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  22. I didn't realize at first that this was about The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Isn't it sad that the first memory that comes to me of this tale is that Disney cartoon about it, lol, that my kids loved at one point! I did see a recent remake with actors a few years back, but haven't read the story in a long time.

    I should pick out a Halloween/creepy story to read this month. Now I'm putting the ol' thinking cap on. I'm intrigued by that book, The Night Parade. I guess I passed on it when first mentioned on your blog awhile back. I assumed it was a children's book and I don't read them anymore-- though I do give recommendations to my grandkids who are basically out of that genre already... time does fly! Is it the story or the illustrations that you are drawn to in it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita - I couldn't help but think of the animated Disney movie as well. There is that more recent television show which I hear is quite popular loosely based on the book set in modern times. I only saw an episode of two when it first came out, and liked it.

      I hope you find a good Halloween-ish or creepy book to read this month. :-) The Night Parade is marketed as Young Adult with a middle grade protagonist. I read it for myself (not my daughter) and loved it. But then, I don't mind reading books marketed for the younger crowd. I often find gems that can cross all age groups.

      Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  23. The Sleepy Hollow book sounds very interesting. I'll be on the lookout for your review of that one.

    Those Days of Blood and Starlight are all so pretty. It really is hard to pick a favorite. There's something appealing about each of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suzanne - I hope to start it today. It sure sounds good! I love those covers too. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  24. Somehow I've never read Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow though after I read a Heather Graham book (Betrayed maybe?) I've really been wanting to try it. I'm very curious about Katrina Van Tassel and this sounds really interesting! I check stats but not as regularly as I used to and I'm not usually looking at the numbers. It's way more relaxing to not worry about the numbers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katherine - I read it so long ago, I don't really remember much about it. I hope to re-read it very soon! It'd be nice to do a comparison of the two, I think. Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  25. I am starting The Spellbook later tonight! 🎃

    The Night Parade! I loved that story, too. It was my top Middle Grade for 2O16, or was it 20I5? You have reminded me that I want to reread it. I wish someone would make an anime movie, or series, from the story. 🎏

    I do look at my stats for individual blog posts about once a month to see what is working, and what's not. I do know that posts with Harry Potter in the title get the most views. Ha ha. The were some older bloggers speaking truthfully on a Facebook post Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner posted about changing up her book blog to be a new mother lifestyle blog instead, because her book blog stats had fallen so much, and one of them said that another blogger researched and found out there are 30Xs as many book specific blogs now as there were four years ago, so everyone's piece of the pie has gotten a lot smaller. 💻

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. La La - I hope you love The Spellbook! I look forward to reading it and also hearing what you think.

      I am so glad you loved The Night Parade too! I think it would make a great anime movie or series.

      I can see why Harry Potter posts would be popular. :-) I know a few bloggers who have opened their blogs to talk about more than just books over the years and make them more lifestyle blogs. Many of those have given up blogging, finding even that challenging. I am happy in my little corner of the internet, just talking about books and occasionally other stuff. But I always come back to books. It's the one think I am most comfortable talking about in such a public forum. Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  26. I used to look at stats more often than I do now. I usually only look when I need to know a number for some reason or another. I had no idea that there were so many covers for Days of Blood and Starlight! I like the first one the most since that is what I think of when I think about the book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole - I was thinking more on it, and I think the last time I looked was when I was filling out my NetGalley and Edelweiss profiles since it was strongly recommended we include those there. I don't know how I compare with others. Best if I don't know. LOL Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  27. You covered a lot in this post! I love all those Laini Taylor covers---I think I might like the bottom left eye the best. :-)

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicole - I really like those covers too. :-) Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  28. The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel sounds like an interesting read.

    I don't pay much attention to blog stats. When I first started my blog, my purpose is to record and to share the books I read with fellow booklovers. It always makes me happy to receive comments and all the more if they decide to pick up the books I've read. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melody - It is nice to see others pick up books to read based on our recommendations, isn't it? :-) Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  29. Oh, Wendy, sorry for another late comment back... :(

    I'm currently teaching two ESOL levels together -- 5 and 6. Of course, I don't separate them into groups, as that just doesn't work. So I'm trying to steer a middle course between the two levels. I'm preparing SO many handouts for them! So I've been VERY busy of late!

    Anyway....as far as the covers for "Blood and Starlight", I much prefer the original one. ABSOLUTELY!

    Oh, "The Night Parade" looks really good!! Adding it to my Goodreads shelves!! :)

    Okay, so now for the BBH question. I LOVE your kitchen table analogy! That's a GREAT way to put it! I used to be like you, stressing out over stats and followers and comments....Ay, yay, yay!!! It just got OVERWHELMING!! So, also like you, I've come to the point where I just post about the books I'm really interested in, and hope that others are, too. Readers and fellow bloggers who have interests similar to ours will simply gravitate to our blogs. That's it! So now life is much simpler, lol. As I stated in my own post, "It is what it is". Obsessing and stressing will definitely NOT make more people stop by one's blog, or leave comments, or follow. Another common saying nowadays is, "You do you." How succinct! How very true!! So let's all of us bloggers do US. And we will have much more FUN that way!!! :0 :)

    Thanks for always dropping by and leaving such WONDERFUL comments on my posts!! HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!!! <3 <3 :) :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie - See how late I am at replying? No need to apologize. :-) It sounds like work is keeping you busy!

      The Night Parade was such a good read. I loved it.

      I do like the phrase "you do you." I think it's a good rule to follow when it comes to blogging--and a lot else in life.

      Thanks for visiting, Maria!

      Delete
  30. Pride and Prejudice would have a lot of ratings! How could it not?!

    Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie - Right?! It's a popular book. Even all these years later. :-)

      Delete
  31. I completely agree with your cover choices! The arch one is my favorite too, and if I had to pick an eye one, the first would be my choice! I look at my blog stats ALL the time. Not even cause I care, just out of habit? And I also like to see if I make any money with AdSense which tells me my views- even though it's literally just pennies hahahha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shannon - I can see why you'd want to look at your stats if you are earning money. Even a little bit. :-) Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  32. Wow, 12 years of blogging is no simple feat. I still look at my stats at least once a week, though I have not done anything better with the data.

    Gayathri @ Elgee Writes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gayathri - I was stressing myself out looking at my stats. It was for the best I stopped paying attention. Thank you for stopping by!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to visit Musings of a Bookish Kitty. Don't be shy! I would love to hear from you. Due to a recent increase in spam, I will be moderating all comments for the foreseeable future. Please be patient with me as it may take a few hours before I am able to approve your comment.